There is much debate about the safety of giving dogs ‘real’ bones like those from a turkey. While bone-shaped biscuits may be a household staple for your best friend, we did some research as to the benefits and risks of feeding your pup a turkey bone. Here’s what you need to know before you throw a dog a bone.
Turkey legs are a staple at many holiday meals, but is it safe for dogs to eat them too? As dog owners, we want to share the festivities with our furry friends, but we also need to be aware of what’s safe for them to eat. After researching this topic, I’ve got the answers on whether dogs can eat turkey legs.
An Overview on Feeding Turkey to Dogs
First, let’s start with a quick overview on feeding turkey in general to dogs. Plain, unseasoned turkey meat is fine for dogs to eat in small quantities. Turkey is lean and provides protein, riboflavin, and other nutrients dogs need However, turkey skin should be avoided, as the high fat content can cause pancreatitis Most holiday turkeys are also seasoned with onions, garlic, herbs, and other ingredients that may irritate a dog’s stomach.
So turkey meat itself can be fed to dogs in moderation, but caution is needed with turkey bones, skin, and seasonings. Now let’s focus in on the specifics of those tasty turkey legs.
The Potential Risks of Feeding Turkey Legs to Dogs
While turkey meat is fine, turkey legs present some risks for dogs:
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Bones – Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause injuries or blockages if swallowed. This goes for any poultry bones, but especially turkey legs since the leg bones are weight-bearing and dense.
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Fat Content – Turkey legs have a high fat content even without the skin, which can trigger pancreatitis.
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Seasonings – Most holiday turkey legs are aromatic and seasoned. Onions, garlic, sage and other herbs can irritate a dog’s stomach.
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Richness – Turkey legs are very rich even without skin or seasoning Too much can upset your dog’s tummy.
So while it’s tempting to share a delicious turkey leg, there are some definite risks involved. But maybe with some precautions, it could still be possible…
How to Safely Feed a Turkey Leg to Your Dog
If you really want to share a turkey leg with your pup, there are ways to reduce the risks:
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Remove the skin – The skin contributes a lot of fat, so take it off before feeding.
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Remove the bone – Cooked bones splinter. Take the meat off the bone before feeding.
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Limit portion size – Too much will upset their stomach, so feed just a small amount.
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Avoid seasonings – Pick plain meat pieces without onions, garlic or other spices.
Even with these precautions, there is still some risk with feeding turkey legs to dogs. You’ll need to supervise your dog closely, and stop feeding immediately if you see signs of stomach upset.
Healthier Treats for Dogs on Turkey Day
If you decide a turkey leg is too risky, there are other ways to include your dog in the Thanksgiving fun:
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Offer plain turkey meat – Unseasoned, no skin, no bones. Just the safe meat.
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Make a doggie meal – Mix a small amount of turkey with their regular dog food.
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Give a turkey-flavored treat – Many brands offer turkey and Thanksgiving dinner flavored treats for dogs.
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Play with a turkey toy – Choose a plush turkey toy for stuffing-free fun.
The Bottom Line
So can dogs eat turkey legs? While it’s possible with some precautions, turkey legs do pose a significant risk to dogs. Their high fat content, seasonings, and bones can all cause problems for pups. Instead of taking a risk on a turkey leg, choose a safer way to include your dog in the holiday feast. With some thoughtful planning, you and your dog can enjoy a happy and safe Thanksgiving together.
Frequency of Entities
Turkey – 22
Dogs – 15
Bones – 6
Legs – 6
Eat – 5
Cooked – 4
Risks – 4
Meat – 4
Fat – 3
Seasonings – 3
Stomach – 3
Can dogs eat raw turkey bones?
After reading all of these potential consequences, you’re probably wondering if your pup can even have turkey bones at all. The answer is yes, as long as the bones are raw. Raw bones, in general, are usually a good option for pups to have, but turkey and chicken bones (as well as other types of poultry) still tend to be thinner and splinter easier. So if you do share some raw bone with your dog, it’s important that you supervise them closely when they’re eating.
Raw bones and meat can come with additional risks for foodborne illness. Most healthy dogs should be able to handle raw bones. But, if you have an elderly or immunocompromised dog, check with your vet before feeding anything raw. Remember to clean your dog’s dish and any cutting boards, knives, and food prep areas that came in contact with raw meat or bone to avoid the spread of bacteria and foodborne illnesses.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey bones?
First things first, it’s important that you don’t ever feed cooked turkey bones to a dog. No matter how tempting it might be to let them have a little taste of that delicious holiday feast, cooked bones are dangerous for dogs. They can splinter and cause many problems, including injuries to the pup’s mouth and teeth, as well as intestinal blockages and gastric upset.
Injuries like broken teeth, cuts to the dog’s mouth, damage to the jaw, or bones lodged in the stomach may require surgery to repair. This is why it is important that you avoid giving your pup cooked bones. These injuries can be painful, expensive, and even in some cases, fatal. So, when it comes to cooked turkey bones and your pup, just say no (and don’t worry, we’ll remind you throughout the course of this blog post)!
Can Dogs Eat Raw Turkey Legs
FAQ
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